GZERO World Clips
Why North Korea isn’t happy about South Korea’s pop culture soft power
Why North Korea Isn’t Happy About South Korea’s Pop-culture Soft Power | GZERO World
November 18, 2021
South Korea is having a global pop culture moment. Right now Squid Game is top show on Netflix. Parasite was the first non-English language film to win Best Picture at the 2020 Oscars. And then there's BTS, breaking records with their songs and even making a splash at the UN, further proof of K-pop's influence beyond music along with online fans ruining a Trump rally in Oklahoma. As South Korea expands its soft power, Kim Jong Un sees it as a growing threat to his rule over North Korea, and says K-pop is a "vicious cancer."
Watch this episode of GZERO World with Ian Bremmer: The Korean Peninsula from K-Pop to Kim Jong-un
Subscribe to GZERO on YouTube to be the first to see new episodes of GZERO World with Ian Bremmer: https://bit.ly/2TxCVnY
From Your Site Articles
- South Korea's pop culture moment - GZERO Media ›
- What We're Watching: North Korean bluster, EU aid for Afghanistan ... ›
- Kim Jong-un will not be ignored!! | PUPPET REGIME - GZERO Media ›
- Hard Numbers: BTS make UNGA go viral, many virtual speeches ... ›
- Hard Numbers: China vs K-pop fans, French terror trial, Americans ... ›
- Russia struggles in Ukraine, Putin escalates - GZERO Media ›
More For You
- YouTube
In his latest Quick Take, Ian Bremmer examines the stability of US-China relations and why he believes the period of relative calm between the two countries may be coming to an end.
Most Popular
Prime Minister Anutin Charnvirakul quickly responded by vowing tougher gun-control legislation and a renewed crackdown on illegal weapons.
Check out the latest swag from the official Puppet Regime merchandise store! Browse an array of products that will show the world you are a devoted subject of the Regime, including: A big, beautiful mug for drinking coffee very strongly, A handsome tote bag to carry your favorite classified documents, Collectible stickers, Stylish t-shirts and hoodies – now also available in pink. We ship worldwide! Shop now at shop.puppetregime.tv!
A man holds up a Venezuelan flag while taking part in a march calling for amnesty for political prisoners and to mark Youth Day, in Caracas, Venezuela, February 12, 2026.
REUTERS/Maxwell Briceno
US-backed negotiations are opening a possible path to democratic elections in Venezuela – even as the country’s most popular opposition leader remains outside the room.
© 2025 GZERO Media. All Rights Reserved | A Eurasia Group media company.