What does North Korea think about BTS? Defectors reveal

Currently, BTS can be considered one of the most influential groups in the world. Accumulating surprising records, Jin, RM, Suga, J-Hope, Jimin, V and Jungkook They have a huge legion of fans, known as ARMYs, responsible for transforming the boy group into one of the biggest powers in the international music industry.

Throughout their almost 12-year career, the group has been responsible for releasing hits such as “IDOL”, “Dynamite”, “Butter”, “FAKE LOVE”, “I NEED U”, “Boy With Luv” (feat. Halsey), “DNA”, among many others. Currently, the training is on hiatus due to the military enlistment of members, which should end in June this year.

With its enormous relevance around the world, a question may arise among the most curious: after all, how is BTS seen in North Korea?

What does North Korea think about BTS?

Currently, the situation between North and South Korea remains sensitive, with the military fleets of both nations always ready for any unforeseen event.

In the country led by Kim Jong Unfor example, the consumption of South Korean entertainment products has been strictly prohibited for some years, carrying harsh sentences for those caught enjoying productions from the neighboring country, which can include forced labor or even death.

In 2024, G1 shared the 2024 Report on Human Rights in North Korea, released in June by the Ministry of Unification of South Korea, containing testimonies from North Korean defectors, where one of them pointed out the public execution of a young man from 22 years for watching and sharing South Korean films and music.

Despite being considered one of the most isolated countries in the world, the flow of external information and culture has become a concern for the North Korean government, as highlighted by the British newspaper The Guardian.

During a participation on the AYO channel, on YouTube, for the “Comment Defenders” section, North Korean defectors Kang Nara and Park Yoo Sung commented that North Korea knows BTS, and that they even have their own view of the group.

In the video, the duo is asked by a viewer what North Koreans’ impression of the boy group is, given that their full name, Bangtan Sonyeondan, which gave rise to the acronym BTS, means “bulletproof boys” or “bulletproof boy scouts.” bulletproof.”

Second Yoo Sungwith the popularization of the group, people in North Korea began to believe that the group could have a North Korean member.

“In North Korea, when BTS was released, many people said, ‘There must be a member from North Korea’ or ‘The person who produced BTS must be from North Korea,’” the defector reported.

Nara He concluded his speech by saying that “In North Korea, people would say words like ‘bulletproof’ often. Also, there are Chosun Boy Scouts in North Korea, so it might sound like that. It seems friendly.”

Check out the full video!

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