Will North Koreans ever perform the dance moves of Bangtan Boys (BTS) and other South Korean idol groups?
It appears that some young North Koreans are doing just that as South Korean K-pop increases in popularity. It has even been reported that private academies have been established to teach South Korean idol group dance moves.
“South Korean TV shows with singers and dancing are very popular among young North Koreans,” said a South Pyongan Province-based source on November 15. “There are a lot more young people now who are learning the dance moves and the songs while watching the programs.”
“There is no particularly special reason K-pop dance moves are popular,” she said. “Rather it’s because North Koreans are paying more attention to South Korean culture […] Now there are even schools and instructors that teach dance moves.”
Some North Korean K-pop fans are also trying to create their own versions of the dances.
The developments suggest that young North Koreans have begun to interpret South Korean culture in their own way.
“There are more young people who are enthusiastic about learning South Korean songs and dance moves,” said a source in North Pyongan Province. “Such a thing can’t be restricted [by the state] no matter how hard they try.”
He added that South Korean movies, dramas and other programs are all still popular among North Koreans. They watch South Korean content that has been copied and distributed throughout the country after being smuggled in from China.
“Empty USBs or SD cards cost less than 10 dollars and an extra five dollars can get you a USB or SD card with all episodes of a drama,” he said. “They can borrow USBs or SD cards for 10,000 North Korean won per day.”
Many North Korean families illegally watch foreign movies on portable media players, while watching South Korean TV shows on mobile phones or notebook computers is also gaining traction, said the source.
The North Korean authorities continue to crack down and punish those who watch such content. They are particularly strict toward those who watch South Korean dramas, but relatively lax toward those who watch Chinese videos.
“Those caught watching South Korean dramas or TV shows get punished, but the authorities don’t really go after those watching Chinese shows,” said a separate source in South Pyongan Province.
“Subtitled Chinese dramas and TV shows are popular because they are similar to South Korean ones, but people nonetheless prefer South Korean ones because they can understand them better.”
