North Korean propaganda song about Kim Jong-un, “Friendly Father,” goes viral on TikTok | Abroad

LOOK. North Korean state TV broadcasts kitschy song that goes viral on TikTok

Kim Jong-un probably wouldn’t have dreamed of such success, at least not outside his own borders. Some videos featuring the song have been viewed more than half a million times on the Chinese app TikTok. Although most tiktokers have no idea of ​​the meaning of the lyrics of “Friendly Father”, which glorifies the dictator, the melody and stirring rhythm ensure its great popularity.

In the comments, tiktokers are very complimentary about the song: “Taylor Swift did not expect to be overtaken just after the release of her new album”, “This song deserves a Grammy”, “This song is like the end of a movie in which a whole city comes together to sing”… Some even compare the song to the music of the iconic Swedish band Abba.

The song is part of a propaganda campaign to improve Kim Jong-un’s reputation. “The idea is that they want to motivate and try to achieve a common goal for the good of the nation,” Alexandra Leonzini, a researcher at the University of Cambridge who has done several studies on North Korean music, told the BBC. According to her, these types of catchy songs are designed to be simple to sing, making them easy to repeat. In this way, the state conveys ideological messages to the population.

Leonzini also points out that the dictatorship does not tolerate artistic freedom and that all musicians, painters and writers in the country are prohibited from creating “works for artistic purposes.” “All artistic productions in North Korea should be used to educate citizens, especially about the gratitude and loyalty they should feel towards the state,” Leonzini said.

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