Chinese-made MP8 media players are gaining popularity among North Korean youth, entering the country in small quantities through border areas despite restrictions.
According to a Daily NK source in North Korea recently, the MP8 has become popular among North Korean teenagers and university students as an “all-in-one” multimedia device that goes beyond simple music and video playback to include audiobooks, e-books, and document viewing capabilities.
Despite its compact size, the device has a sleek design with quality finishing that makes it look like a premium electronic device. It also features an intuitive user interface that significantly enhances convenience, stimulating young people’s desire to purchase it.
New and used units are entering North Korea in small quantities from cities near the North Korean border, such as Dandong in Liaoning province and Hunchun in Jilin province, and are currently being traded secretly at prices ranging from $80 to $150.
The source told Daily NK, “Parents buy MP8s for their children when they say they’ll use them for studying. Since the government focuses more on the content rather than the device itself, students can carry them around without much concern as long as they have a clear justification that it’s for educational purposes.”
One reason for the device’s popularity is its advantage in avoiding censorship and crackdowns. Since Chinese companies manufacture it specifically for North Korean consumers, it poses no problems because features like FM radio and Wi-Fi are either excluded or disabled.
The source said, “Students carry separate SD cards for studying and for entertainment,” adding, “The MP8 is officially an educational device, but it’s mainly used for watching movies and listening to music.
“Initially, they might watch Chinese language learning or math problem-solving content, but with a simple card swap, they can also watch movies or TV series and listen to music,” the source continued, adding: “The device itself is small and simple, so even if caught, it’s easy to quickly replace or hide the SD card.”
Spread of devices a potential threat to regime
The spread of the devices in North Korea may be part of China’s content expansion strategy. As devices from MP3 and MP4 to MP7 and now MP8 have entered North Korea, they’re becoming a means for Chinese cultural content to penetrate through “devices customized for North Korean residents.”
However, since the MP8 can easily play South Korean movies, dramas, and K-pop content, the growing demand for these devices presents another challenge for North Korean authorities seeking to control and block external content.
For North Korean authorities, they must be wary of the possibility that MP8s, which entered under the guise of “harmless” educational devices, could transform into channels for external cultural infiltration.
For China, the situation where tools meant for spreading their own culture are being used as platforms for consuming Korean cultural content cannot be welcome.
The source said, “It’s a device made in China, but the result is that our young people will have more exposure to Korean movies and Korean songs.” He added, “But there’s no proper way to stop people from using MP8s, so it’s a situation that’s frustrating for those tasked with enforcing regulations.”
