North Korea’s War On Culture: Why Watching K Pop And Squid Game Could Cost Your Life

For most of the world, K pop playlists and Netflix nights are harmless escapes from the daily grind. In North Korea, they can reportedly get you arrested or even executed. It is a chilling contrast that has resurfaced after new testimonies gathered by Amnesty International revealed just how dangerous foreign entertainment has become inside one of the most secretive states on earth.

A Harsh Crackdown On South Korean Culture

People who have fled North Korea told Amnesty researchers that simply consuming South Korean media is treated as a serious offence. They described arrests, disappearances and, in some cases, executions linked to people caught watching foreign shows or listening to outside music.

Among the most targeted content is the global sensation Squid Game, a Netflix series that ironically critiques inequality and authoritarian systems. Testimonies allege that a student was executed about five years ago for smuggling copies of the show into the country. According to international correspondent Adam Gilchrist, the idea of being killed for watching a dystopian drama feels surreal, yet it reflects the extreme cultural controls imposed under Kim Jong Un.

Why South Korean Media Is Seen As A Threat

South Korean pop culture has become one of the most influential global exports of the past decade. Its polished production, modern style and freedom of expression stand in stark contrast to the tightly controlled North Korean reality. For the Pyongyang government, foreign media is viewed not only as illegal entertainment, but as a threat that could inspire curiosity about life beyond the border.

For ordinary citizens, the risk is immense. Testimonies describe a climate where being caught with a K pop song or a smuggled USB can have life altering consequences.

Wealthier Families Allegedly Avoid The Worst

While the state publicly promotes strict cultural loyalty, several accounts suggest that the rules are not applied evenly. Families with money are reportedly able to bribe their way out of severe punishment, leaving poorer citizens far more vulnerable. That pattern mirrors long standing reports of inequality inside North Korea, where unofficial payments often determine everything from movement to access to food and education.

A Rare Glimpse Into A Closed Society

Reliable information from inside North Korea is notoriously difficult to verify, which is why testimonies from those who have escaped are often the only window into the country’s cultural restrictions. These new accounts add to years of documentation showing a sustained and unforgiving crackdown on outside media.

For the rest of the world, K pop and hit series like Squid Game are cultural juggernauts. For North Koreans, according to these testimonies, they remain symbols of both hope and danger, carrying risks that most people can hardly imagine.

{Source:EWN}

Follow Joburg ETC on Facebook, Twitter , TikTok and Instagram

For more News in Johannesburg, visit joburgetc.com