A popular South Korean TV show, “Mister Trot,” has become hugely popular among North Korean women in their 30s to their 60s and its popularity is expanding from the Sino-North Korean border region to inner areas of the country, a Daily NK source reported on Tuesday.
According to the source, who requested anonymity for security reasons, those who initially just watched clips of the program are now trying to get full episodes. “People are saying you’re not keeping up with the [latest] trend unless you’re watching Mister Trot,” he added.
“When they get together, people who have seen the videos secretly gossip about which of the seven contestants will be chosen,” the source explained. “They even take a vote among themselves, discussing each contestant’s strengths and why they like them.”
Since North Koreans are unable to take part in the show’s real-time voting, it appears they are enjoying the show by ranking the contestants among themselves.
“People are very interested in not only the on-stage performances, but also the clips of the contestants going about their daily lives,” the source further reported. “They are almost obsessed with learning more about the contestants and want to see more performances.”
In North Korea, South Korean dramas or variety shows are used as a “tool” to gauge South Korea’s level of economic progress and how people live. Accordingly, the snapshots of contestants’ everyday lives are popular because viewers feel as if they are right there with them.
Trot used to be very popular in North Korea. In 2001, the trot singer Yonja Kim held concerts in Pyongyang and Hamhung that were great successes. At the time, even Kim Jong Il took interest and made an appearance at the Hamhung concert.
Although the popularity of trot has waned over time as it became associated with older people, it has recently made a resurgence thanks to the emergence of the South Korean show.
“Trot was not so popular,” the source confirmed, adding, “But it has blown up after [the show] became a hit with middle-aged women involved in smuggling near the border.”
According to him, women in this age group were captivated by the earnest melodies and because the lyrics “really spoke to them.”
WIDENING POPULARITY
“Mister Trot” has proven to be popular among young people as well as middle-aged women in North Korea, according to the source.
“Nowadays even people in their 20s like trot,” the source explained. “The popularity comes from the lyrics, which describe feelings such as love, affection and longing.”
Put off by the monotony of North Korean songs about revolution and struggle, young people have taken an interest in songs by South Korean idol groups, which are trendy and speak their language. It is believed that idol groups such as BTS and IZ*ONE are very popular among North Korean youth.
Be that as it may, North Koreans often have trouble understanding the song lyrics due to the language barrier produced by many decades of division and the frequent use of loanwords in South Korea. The exotic melodies of the songs also feel foreign and fail to resonate with many North Koreans.
Young people do like the lyrical and sentimental melodies and plaintive lyrics in trot music, the source said.
According to him, some of the more popular songs are quiet and easy to sing along to, such as “Maze of Love” by Choi Jin-hee and “Friend” by Ahn Jae-wook.
North Korean authorities are reportedly aware of the popularity of “Mister Trot” and are gearing up to crackdown on viewers of the show.
“The authorities are secretly carrying out a thorough investigation of the show,” the source said. “Officials from the Minister of State Security are asking around for the videos so they can get a handle on what Mister Trot is about.”
Although North Korean authorities are intent on rooting out “anti-socialist” elements, it appears that, in this case at least, they are unable to keep up with what is popular among their own people.
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