In 2018, South Korean pop music, also known as K-pop, became a global phenomenon. Dramatic changes in South Korean society over the past decade have transformed the music from an underground culture with fans in Asian countries into a global public entertainment source. K-pop now has tens of millions of fans worldwide, and its range and expansion are characterized not only by the music but also by the training, fashion, beauty, culture, entertainment industry, and consumption. Many countries love K-pop, including Japan and the United States. However, it is a fact that one of North Korean Kpop biggest enemies has not yet fallen until recently. Interestingly, some South Korean fans were introduced to the opening of the Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang by North Korean artists. The surprise appearance of the North Korean art group came after the two countries provided leading roles, which significantly increased activity in the context of interaction between the two parts of the Korean peninsula.
Background of North Korean K-pop
In recent years, South Korean K-pop has caught the world’s attention, but North Korean Kpop is still relatively unknown to the world. North Korean Kpop refers to songs made by the North Korean regime based on the South Korean music style. North Korea has produced K-pop to promote the implementation of its Juche ideology both in North Korea and South Korea. Since the two Korean governments agreed to implement the North-South Joint Declaration in 2000, South Korean K-pop has gradually provided cover for North Korean Kpop. North Korea has actively utilized South Korean K-pop to achieve reunification through Juche fusionism. Recently, North Korean K-pop, which was mostly popular only in North Korea, has been gaining attention from South Korean K-pop fans and has emerged as a new issue. Some North Korean K-pop songs are popular in the South Korean pop genre, known colloquially as K-pop.
Through cultural content, North Korea has promoted its Juche ideology, creating a nationalized quintessence that can share the enjoyment of music while cooperating for the reunification of the Peninsula with South Korea. There has been a reciprocal exchange of culture generated by the two Koreas. South Korea has reciprocated the North’s Juche policy by singing and producing North Korean songs created and produced under the North’s Juche ideology. Pop music became a tool for dispensing unification policies through the use of popular North and South Korean songs. North-South Korean cooperation had a relatively strong impact on dominating the cultural inflow and operations. This has slowly evolved into an indirect form of cultural cooperation, measured not in terms of one-on-one partnerships but rather the density or frequency of various forms of North-South cultural interactions. Then I will show the impression that some people can be influenced by a particular rock song in the land of Korean pop culture.
The Influence of K-pop in North Korea
K-pop was also one of the ways in which the globalized capitalist South influenced the North. K-pop is a music genre that is said to have originated in Korea. The elements that distinguish K-pop music from other music are that they not only encompass other genres but also involve different dance techniques and are categorized with fandom, which makes it different from other songs. The popularization of South Korean life and culture now includes clothes, food, cosmetics, and travel.
The origins of this wave go back to the 1990s. However, the export of K-pop, initially led by the efforts of the South Korean government itself, began in the 2000s during the presidency of conservative President Lee Myung-bak. Furthermore, during the last decade, music by K-pop artists has particularly grown. These stars started as young children; through auditions run by entertainment companies, they have been trained and educated, with careers drawn up for them. They also contributed to the commercial success of the Hallyu wave, and certain South Korean companies collaborated in promoting their music production overseas. K-pop music has spread to different parts of the world, especially to North Korea, not only through CDs and DVDs but also through radio and telecommunications used by countries neighboring North Korea. They were prohibited and heavily censored in North Korea, which gave operators access to broadcasts or cassettes of South Korean content.
Definition and Origins
K-pop has greatly influenced North Korean citizen’s interest in South Korea, capitalism, Western modernity, and has exposed North Korean citizens to foreign ideas and cultures that the North Korean state has attempted to suppress. The very origin of k-pop is becoming tied to South Korean identity as people from countries and ethnicities become fans of k-pop. The very recent global popularity of k-pop has caught everyone’s attention and interest. Suddenly, fans from South America to the Middle East and even in the United States are becoming fans of mass produced South Korean music. What was originally seen as a fake kind of pop music is now being exposed to a global audience. The influence of k-pop throughout the world is becoming impossible to accrue. The concept, production, and excessive push made to make k-pop as popular as possible has paid off. Over the past ten years k-pop has greatly progressed and has spawned the interest from major record labels. K-pop has gotten so large that military soldiers and even elementary students can be seen watching a performance or music video of their k-pop artist of choice. K-pop is accessible to people in even the most repressed of societies.
Global Popularity
South Korea’s popular and cultural sway structure requests and livelihoods around the world. Korea’s novel writing, comics, films, K-beauty products, K-pop, classical music, and IT products have accomplished a major role in accumulating widespread attention to Korea’s mixed lifestyle. K-pop is the most popular, especially with the youth, and has captured attention worldwide. While K-pop has traditionally afforded a measure of freedom in terms of aesthetics and voice, it has also been a significant component of the Korean soft power plans of both the recent and prior government. In North Korea, children also sing and dance to K-pop. There is no possibility of outright opposition to K-pop, using the lyrics and speeches delivered; children can study Korean as well. With song lyrics and Korean lessons, interest in the K-pop industry may ignite interest in the deepened South-North cultural exchange. K-pop industry professionals can exert effort to provide more valuable content to offer opportunities for additional cultural exchanges and, rather than support for an open-door South gate policy, coordinate activity with some of the government’s other South-North policies.
The Cultural Roots of North Korean Music
Revolutionary Foundations
North Korean music traces its roots to revolutionary themes. Songs glorifying Kim Il-sung’s anti-Japanese resistance shaped the musical landscape of the 20th century. Traditional Korean instruments blended with Soviet-style compositions to craft a sound distinct from the commercialism of South Korea’s K-pop industry.
Influences from the South
Despite its hostility toward South Korea, North Korea hasn’t been immune to the allure of its southern counterpart’s cultural exports. The global success of K-pop and its cultural soft power have inspired North Korean authorities to produce their version of modern music, albeit with ideological constraints.
Characteristics of North Korean K-Pop
State-Controlled Production
Unlike the South Korean entertainment industry, where private companies like SM Entertainment or JYP Entertainment drive production, North Korea’s music industry is entirely state-controlled. Every song, dance, and performance is vetted to ensure alignment with socialist principles and loyalty to the regime.
Censorship and Propaganda
Lyrics often center on patriotism, collective effort, and praise for the ruling Kim family. While South Korean K-pop covers diverse themes such as love, heartbreak, and personal growth, North Korean pop is primarily a vehicle for propaganda.
Performance Style
North Korean Kpop artists exhibit synchronized choreography reminiscent of South Korean K-pop, but the movements are often more restrained. Costumes, while colorful, avoid the glamorous or daring styles seen in South Korea, reflecting North Korea’s conservative cultural norms.
Notable Artists and Groups
Moranbong Band
The Moranbong Band, often referred to as North Korea’s version of a girl group, is the most prominent example of state-sanctioned pop. Personally selected by Kim Jong-un, the band is known for its Western-inspired aesthetics and electronic sound, paired with patriotic lyrics.
Chongbong Band
Another key player in the North Korean pop scene is the Chongbong Band, which often performs in tandem with the Moranbong Band during state events. Their repertoire includes orchestral backing, lending a classical touch to their modern melodies.
Contrasts with South Korean K-Pop
Globalization vs. Isolation
South Korean K-pop thrives on international collaboration and outreach, incorporating influences from various genres and cultures. In contrast, North Korean Kpop remains insular, with performances rarely crossing its borders except during diplomatic events.
Fan Culture
North Korean Kpop is synonymous with an energetic and devoted fanbase. Fandoms like BTS’s ARMY or BLACKPINK’s BLINKs play a vital role in shaping the global reach of their idols. North Korea lacks this participatory culture due to its tightly controlled communication networks and limited access to global media.
Political Implications
A Tool for Diplomacy
Music has occasionally served as a bridge between North and South Korea. Joint performances, such as the 2018 Winter Olympics collaboration, showcased North Korean artists performing alongside South Korean acts, offering a glimpse of cultural diplomacy in action.
Soft Power Strategy
North Korea’s pop music serves as a tool for showcasing its “modernity” to the outside world. By adapting Western elements into their performances, North Korea aims to project an image of cultural sophistication while maintaining ideological purity.
Challenges and Criticism
Limited Artistic Freedom
Artists in North Korea operate under strict state supervision, leaving little room for creativity or self-expression. Critics argue that this stifles the natural evolution of music and diminishes its appeal.
International Perception
The international community often views North Korean kpop music through the lens of propaganda, which undermines its credibility as an art form. Comparisons with South Korean K-pop further highlight its limitations in terms of diversity and innovation.
The Future of North Korean K-Pop
Potential for Change
As global influences seep into North Korea through smuggled media, younger generations may demand more diverse and relatable content. The potential for a less rigidly controlled music scene could arise if political conditions evolve.
Challenges Ahead
However, the path to a freer cultural environment is fraught with challenges. The regime’s tight grip on information and its emphasis on ideological conformity make substantial changes in the entertainment industry unlikely in the near future.
Conclusion
North Korean Kpop is a fascinating blend of tradition, modernity, and political ideology. While it borrows elements from the globally successful South Korean model, its essence remains deeply rooted in the country’s revolutionary narrative and authoritarian governance. For now, North Korean pop music is more than just entertainment; it is a carefully crafted instrument of state policy, reflecting the complex interplay of culture and politics in one of the world’s most secretive nations.