Is BTS Banned in North Korea?
Yes, BTS is effectively banned in North Korea. The North Korean government tightly controls the media and entertainment consumed by its citizens, imposing stringent restrictions on Western music, including K-pop. Despite BTS's massive global following, their music and messages are not accessible within North Korea. The regime promotes its own cultural narratives and suppresses any outside influences that could challenge its authority.
Everything is Banned in North Korea, Even BTS
North Korea is known for its strict media censorship and control over information. The regime allows only limited access to entertainment, and what little is allowed is heavily monitored. This includes South Korean pop culture, such as K-pop idols like BTS. Any foreign entertainment deemed contrary to the regime's values is prohibited. Even a small breach can have severe consequences.
According to several defectors who managed to escape the country, life in North Korea is extremely controlled. There is only one TV channel that runs certain hours of the day, and citizens are required to watch these broadcasts. Refusal to watch the mandated content can lead to severe punishment, including execution or imprisonment of the individual and their family members. These broadcasts are filled with propaganda and lies, such as claims that the leader is the son of God or can read people's thoughts.
Students in North Korea Caught Listening to BTS
Recently, it was reported that a couple of high school students in North Korea were under investigation for allegedly being caught singing and dancing to a BTS song. These students were reportedly from the North Korea's Red Youth Guard, a militia organization for teenage cadets. During breaks, the students were caught listening to BTS's "Blood Sweat Tears" on an MP3 player and were reportedly "belting out the lyrics."
The discovery led to immediate alerts to the local chapter of North Korea's Worker's Party and the State Security. These students are now under investigation for engaging in what the regime terms "reactionary ideology and culture." According to laws established in December 2020 by Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un, people caught "possessing" or "watching" South Korean media can be sentenced to 5 to 15 years in a labor camp. In addition, those caught speaking, writing, or singing in a "South Korean style" can face up to 2 years of hard labor.
This is not the first incident of its kind in North Korea. Since BTS's rise to global stardom, the group has become increasingly popular among North Korean youth. A source told Seoul Pyongyang News that BTS's songs are enjoying "explosive popularity" among North Korean youth, and young people are enjoying the group's lyrics about self-love. However, some North Koreans who are indoctrinated to be loyal to the state are shocked by BTS's message about "self-care for the individual."
Given the boldness of these teenagers, the trend of BTS's popularity among North Korean youth may only increase, despite the severe legal and social consequences of engaging with South Korean culture.
Conclusion
BTS and any South Korean entertainment are technically banned in North Korea, but the strict law against it may be challenged as young North Koreans continue to secretly listen to and enjoy the group's music. The suppression by the regime highlights the challenges faced by young people in maintaining autonomy in a highly controlled society.