Kim Jong Un's latest 'banger' goes viral — and maybe that's exactly what he wanted

The world has long feared he would strike with nuclear missiles — but his latest launch is a catchy pop song.

At least, that's one theory about a North Korean propaganda anthem that has become an unlikely hit on social media.

Friendly Father is an unabashed earworm celebrating infamous leader Kim Jong Un.

Its technicolour melody and euphoric music video made it an easy target for content creators, who were quick to satirise the dictator and his regime.

But for Monash University's Emma Briant, who specialises in propaganda and information warfare, the song is no joke.

"I think people are not really realising the true nature of the strategy that lies behind the creation and distribution of a video like this," Dr Briant said.

"It is obviously intended for this kind of mass distribution."

So what's this song about?

Friendly Father implores listeners to "sing" and "boast" about Kim Jong Un, a leader who is "warm-hearted like your mother" and "benevolent like your father".

Its catchy, Soviet-era sound was a hit on social media, with TikTok users describing it as "an absolute banger" and "the best villain song".

"The best K-pop since Gangnam style," writes another.

North Korea researcher and Melbourne University lecturer Edward Goldring said the song was part of a concerted effort to portray Kim Jong Un in a similar light to the nation's founder, Kim Il Sung.

"This is about building an image of Kim Jong Un as the loving father of the North Korean nation, someone the North Korean people can completely put their trust in to look after their needs," he said.

Did North Korea want it to go viral?

The accompanying music video features a delirious parade of Kim Jong Un supporters: elderly women give a thumbs up, soldiers sing atop their war machines, and giddy children swarm their supreme leader.

But Dr Briant believes North Korean propagandists are not naive about how this may look to Western audiences.

"North Korea does not necessarily put this out around the world expecting it to be taken seriously," she said.

"I think this video was created deliberately to be humorous."

Dr Briant said presenting Kim Jong Un as a figure of fun — rather than fear — helps to soften his image on the global stage.

"While North Korea is very keen to exert its interests regionally, its ability to do that is enhanced by a more positive reputation worldwide," she said.

"This kind of reach bestows an awful lot of power, both in terms of the control over the North Korean population, but also in terms of influence internationally."

What do influencers think of the song?

Friendly Father quickly became the soundtrack to bedroom dance routines, glib one-liners and tongue-in-cheek comments about how the song's popularity might influence attempts to ban TikTok in the West.

Many users are quick to say they do not support Kim Jong Un's regime, nor endorse its human rights abuses by joking about what they see as patently ludicrous propaganda.

Jihwan Park, a South Korean influencer who lives in Canada, found the song "kind of catchy", and "kind of funny" when it appeared on his feed.

But he had "a lot of second thoughts" before posting his take.

Park asked users not to "glorify North Korea or Kim".

"It was kind of a difficult balance," he said.

"Is it going to be funny, or is it going to create some traumas?

"Is it just a funny video — or am I sending misinformation?"

Friendly Father is far from the first catchy propaganda song Park has heard; he grew up watching comedians rip into North Korea.

And while he sees this song as a joke, he is concerned those in the West may not see the other side of North Korea.

"There's still lots of innocent people dying. It's a pretty serious problem," he said.

What's next for North Korea?

While Friendly Father finds an enthusiastic international audience, North Korea is also finding new opportunities on the global stage.

Professor Goldring said the historic meeting of Kim Jong Un and former US president Donald Trump in 2019 provided something "North Korea has always wanted: to be seen as legitimate state on an equal footing with others".

And the war in Ukraine brought a rare trading opportunity for the isolated nation.

"We've seen evidence of North Korean weapons being used by Russia in Ukraine," Professor Goldring said.

"And so this has created an opportunity for North Korea both economically, to sell its weapons to Russia, and also put them in the shop window for other nations."

But while Friendly Father may have struck a chord on social media, Professor Goldring doubts it will dramatically shift public opinion.

"I don't think millions of people are going to be hoodwinked through listening to this song, and suddenly think that Kim Jong Un is a wonderful human being," he said.

"There are still thousands of people in prison camps in North Korea. It's still impossible for people to get across the border … and many people exist on a very limited amount of food every day.