North Korea has a culture which largely reflects its restrained and inflexible political situation. As a totalitarian regime, the ideology and politics of the nation penetrates almost every aspect of individual life. With music, this is almost certainly the case. The music of North Korea is ultimately political in its intent. It glorifies the regime, it teaches its ideology, it props up the personality cult of the country's leadership and demonizes North Korea's enemies.
To add to the flavour, this is isn't in the west either where we hear songs we like, download them off I-tunes (or google play for you fussy Android lovers), these songs are blasted through megaphones on the streets throughout the day. As one North Korean guide once commented "we listen to these songs every day". Children learn them by heart at school and made to sing them endlessly. Such is life in the North Korean regime.
A number of official North Korean channels have uploaded many of these songs onto Youtube for our "benefit" to listen to. You don't have to agree with the message or the rhetoric of such songs (if you can understand them of course) to realize and acknowledge that there is some power and passion in this music. It has a serious kick to it. So, we selected some of the best ones from Youtube for you to listen to... you'll see what we mean.
1. Korea does what it is determined to do- a song about the "might" of a socialist nation like North Korea
2. "No motherland without you"- The official song of Kim Jong-Il, a song which glorifies his personality cult and seems to credit him with a lot of apparent achievements. Despite his death, this song is still played in North Korea everyday.
3. "One against a hundred"- a song of battle
4. "death to the U.S imperialist aggressors"- Ok, the title is self explanatory. Not often you come across songs proclaiming death your opponents, this is quite a fierce and assertive song.
When we hear about "Korean music", we often hear about "K-pop" and such. Well, here's a collection which certainly provides a "Korean alternative" to that and its not quite gangham style is it?
