Kim Jong Un was meant to be their only idol - then North Koreans discovered K-pop

Kim Jong Un was meant to be their only idol—then North Koreans discovered K-pop, expanding their world beyond state-controlled entertainment. The story follows Lee Yeon-su, born in North Korea, who travels from Seoul to Busan for BTS concerts, including attendance in March in central Seoul and a rainy April show on the group’s first world-tour day. In June, her third concert in as many months in Busan is described as transformative, enabling her to cheer freely for artists such as BTS’s “Fire” and “Mic Drop.” The article says listening to South Korean music in North Korea can be treated as a serious crime, but defectors report K-pop filtering in through secret listening and rare viewings. It also notes that BTS’s Korean name, Bangtan Sonyeondan, has entered everyday slang, alongside other groups like Blackpink and Girls’ Generation. Competitive context includes the North’s “one celebrity” system versus multiple idols gaining traction.