Kim Jong Un's catchy tune becomes an unexpected TikTok hit

A North Korean propaganda song lauding Kim Jong Un has unexpectedly gone viral on TikTok, amassing millions of views.

The song, "Friendly Father," extols the virtues of the nation's communist dictator, drawing an unforeseen fascination from Generation Z viewers worldwide. Users on TikTok are sharing their reactions, with some even posting videos of themselves dancing along, attracting views in the thousands and millions.

With a catchy synth-pop tune, the propaganda anthem includes lyrics like: "Let's sing to Kim Jong Un, the great leader" and "Let's praise Kim Jong Un, our friendly father".

The accompanying music video features a beaming Kim, surrounded by jubilant characters and Koreans offering thumbs up to the camera, among them the country's renowned news anchor—Ri Chun-Lee.

Netizens have compared the song's infectious melody to that of hits from bands like Abba. Experts on North Korea suggest that the song's memorability is strategic, intended to shape North Korean's views of their Supreme Leader.

In a discussion with BBC News, Alexandra Leonzini, a scholar at the University of Cambridge studying North Korean music, pointed out that in a country where the state controls the music industry, music emerges as another channel for propaganda by the reclusive state.

- Art in North Korea is designed to indoctrinate citizens, teaching them to appreciate and remain loyal to the party - the expert asserts.